‘Empire’: Taraji P. Henson Reveals Cookie’s Amazing Improvised Naomi Campbell Insult That Was Cut (Video)

April 10, 2015 6:51am PT by Ashley Lee

Also improvised by Henson: "'Boo boo kitty' is the new 'Bye, Felicia!'"

Ahead of her Saturday Night Live hosting debut, Empire star Taraji P. Henson stopped by Late Night With Seth Meyers to reveal a few secrets about her beloved badass character, Cookie Lyon.

For example, her memorable lines "Shut up, Dora" and "Boo boo kitty" were completely improvised, she told host Seth Meyers. ""Boo boo kitty' is the new 'Bye, Felicia!'"

But one Cookie insult directed at Naomi Campbell didn't make the cut. "She tried to side-swipe me by adding a line — Cookie was ready," said Henson. "So I said to her, I said, 'I want me some grandbabies, but you got them dried up Benjamin Button eggs.'"

Henson didn't think it'd be a problem, since she played Queenie in the 2008 film with Brad Pitt. "How can they not let Queenie, the mother of Benjamin Button — why wouldn't they clear that for me? I'm Benjamin Button's mom!"

Meyers rallied, "Also, what are the Benjamin Button people gonna do? Show up on the set of Empire?"

Echoed Henson, "And do what? Get a smackdown from Cookie!"

"I hate that bitch," the actress did admit of her Empire character though. "She's stolen my identity — nobody calls me by my name anymore." However, does her onscreen intimidation help her get into restaurants without a reservation? "Absolutely," she said with a smile.

And when the host noted his shock that she doesn't actually swear on the network show, though it feels like she does, Henson agreed and said, "I swear with my eyes! I learned that from Bette Davis!"

Watch the video below.